About Health Equity Matters

As the peak national organisation for Australia’s community HIV response, Health Equity Matters (Formerly AFAO) is recognised both globally and nationally for the leadership, policy expertise, health promotion, coordination and support we provide.

Through advocacy, policy and health promotion, we champion awareness, understanding and proactivity around HIV prevention, education, support and research. Health Equity Matters provides a voice for communities affected by HIV and leads the national conversation on HIV.

In Australia, communities affected by HIV include: gay and bisexual men, transgender and gender diverse people, people with HIV, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, sex workers, people who use illicit drugs, people from or who travel to high prevalence countries, and people in custodial settings.

We advocate for a strong and bold vision to prevent HIV and its impacts, and work with governments, clinicians, researchers and community to achieve that vision.

We contribute internationally to the development of effective policy and program responses to HIV/AIDS at a global level, particularly in the Asia Pacific region.

For more than two decades, the Health Equity Matters International Program has implemented initiatives to strengthen civil society responses to HIV in Asia and the Pacific, with Australian Government support. Health Equity Matters is currently funded by the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria to deliver a multi-country program across eight countries in the Asia Pacific region: Bhutan, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Mongolia, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Sri Lanka and Timor-Leste.

VISION AND VALUES

Health Equity Matters’ vision is a world without HIV, where our communities can enjoy the highest standard of health and wellness, free from stigma and discrimination.

We serve our members to fully realise their ambitions for communities by 2030.

Gold Standard

We Create Success Together

• We value individual thinking and collaborate to achieve stronger outcomes.
• Follow the needs of our members and partners and lead on shaping collective solutions.
• Honest, transparent, no tolerance for hidden agendas or politics.
• Challenge constructively, don’t condemn, stay humble.

The Way We Think

Equality is Non Negotiable

• We recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people as the First Australians and respect communities’ traditions, views and ways of life.
• We respect the dignity of all people and value diversity.
• We protect and promote the human rights of all communities and remove social and cultural barriers that hold back justice and health.

The Way We Act

Push for Better

• We are goal driven and oriented towards action – “can do” spirit.
• Pivot where relevant, challenge prevailing assumptions, champion better approaches.
• Resourceful and resilient – find a way through set backs.

Thoughtful

• We take care in every aspect of our work with strong attention to detail.
• Take time to gather and analyse a diverse range of data and make informed decisions with a clear understanding of their impact.
• Treat all stakeholders and each other with respect, understanding and consideration.